Moore, Please.

"How blessed we are to be women. By nature we like to do things together. Work and play. Laugh and grieve. Eat and pray. Live and die. A large measure of enjoying womanhood is enjoying a heart connection with other women."

Last night 11 women, myself included, wrapped up a nine week study on the Biblical book of Esther. It was a bittersweet occasion. Every Monday night for the duration of this summer we've gathered together with the purpose of delving deep into the text of Esther. We've listened to Beth Moore's teaching on the book (while taking copious notes). We've shared struggles and triumphs. We've shared food, and giggles. We've been a group of women who came together "for such a time as this" to learn about the life of Esther in hope that our lives might reflect Him more. In hope that we might love Him more. In hope that somehow, someway, we might gain a better understanding of why He has each of us living in New York and what purposes He has for us here. In hope that even when He is silent, we can be assured He is still working, for good, on our behalf.

Last night we celebrated with more food, more laughter, and one last teaching session. It was the ending of a precious time spent studying God's Word. As I looked around the den in our apartment and noted each of the women present, I couldn't help but think what an encouragement each of their testimonies had been to my heart. Many of the women present I had not even met prior to the study. We all attended various churches in the city, and worked in different industries. Our common thread for nine weeks was Esther. Yet, these women encouraged my heart. They reminded me to keep fighting the good fight, to recall God's faithfulness, to press upward, to claim my inheritance... Wherever our paths lead from this summer, I will always be grateful for the ways each of them enriched my life.

I've listed a few of my favorite little Moorisms (har har) from the Esther study below...

• We neither have to be carnal to be likeable nor insincere to be endearing. We can love God and still be liked by people.
  
• Gossip finds an easy ear because our human nature, left to itself, finds sick satisfaction in the deluded discovery that someone who seemed superior was inferior.
• As painful as the process may be, that which shatters our superficiality also shatters the fetters of our fragility and frees us to walk with dignity and might to our destinies.
• You may be one brave decision away from the most important turn in your path.
• Our only steadfast defenses against life’s certain uncertainty is unconditional trust in a Savior who loves us more than His own life.
  
• To live for the greatness of God is to live the great life.

"No matter what life- or Satan himself- hands us, the favor God has on His children causes that “lot” to tumble out on the table in such a way that, instead of destruction, the child will discover that her portion turned into destiny one trusting step at a time.
When all is said and done, she will see that the portion God assigned her was good.
Right.
Rich.
Full of purpose."